Springfield Injury Law Blog : Springfield Injury Lawyer & Attorney : Jason Krebs Law Firm : Branson, Tri-Lakes, Missouri: car accident, personal injury, food poisoning, medical malpractice, wrongful death

Effective January 26, 2010, the US Department of Transportation has declared it illegal for drivers of semi-trucks, and for commercial bus or van drivers with more than eight passengers to send text messages while driving.  Any truck or bus driver who violates the Federal regulations is subject to a penalty up to $2,750.

Researchers at Virginia Tech found that truck drivers who send text messages on a cell phone are about 23 times more likely to get into some type of accident or near-miss than drivers who keep their eyes on the road.

But continue to watch out for UPS or FedEx trucks. The ban announced today by the Transportation Department doesn’t apply to in-cab or fleet management type of computers.  Drivers for shippers such as FedEx Corp. and United Parcel Service Inc. can still use portable computers in their vehicles to scan package deliveries and drop- offs and respond to messages from dispatchers. 

Apparently the agency has the authority through its Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to immediately prohibit texting by commercial drivers, but would have to go through the federal rulemaking process to bar the use of in-cab computers while driving.  Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says that the Agency is working on a broader rule for commercial drivers, but did not supply details.  

According to the FMCSA, drivers texting take their eyes off the road for nearly five seconds per message. At 55 mph, a truck or bus could travel the length of a football field plus its end zones with the driver not looking at the road! The larger the vehicle, the greater the damage it can do in an accident to both people and other cars. Even if you don’t' drive a truck or bus, pretend that you do and adhere to this ban anyway. 

If you have been injured in a semi-truck accident, be sure you hire an accident attorney to handle the complexities of your case.

Image from:  www.guzer.com

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If you have been in an accident of any kind, you'll likely need your insurance company to help your pay the bills related to injuries and car or motorcycle repair.  If you want to maximize the amount an insurance company will pay you after an accident, you need to know the 8 things you shouldn't say to your insurance company.

1 – Anything immediately after the accident
The insurance company is not your friend and shouldn't be on your list of the first people to notify that you have been in an accident. Immediately after an accident you may be overwhelmed, scared, or even angry and it can influence what you remember and how you say it.  If you are injured, go to the hospital.  Worry about your injuries not the insurance company. There is plenty of time to call your insurance company later—after you have read through the rest of this list.

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If you drove anywhere on Missouri highways to get to Grandma's house from Springfield over the Holidays, you may have utilized one of the many rest areas of welcome centers. While the rest areas are great places for a quick nature break and stretch of the legs for both 2 and 4-legged passengers, they actually could save your life.

The greatest contributing factor in large truck accidents i.e. semi-truck or tractor trailer accidents is driver fatigue.  By federal law, truck drivers must leave the road and rest after logging a 10 to 11 hour workday.  Naturally, making that stop safe and convenient for a truck driver is more likely to encourage compliance and Missouri has been doing just that. The number of truck parking spaces provided by MoDOT increased 45 percent between the years 2002 and 2009, from 587 spots to 853. In 2010, your tax dollars will contribute to two welcome centers and more converted truck parking areas like from abandoned weigh stations for an additional 142 spaces.  

A tired truck driver is more likely to cause an accident and we know a large tractor trailer is more likely to cause an injury or fatal accident for others on the road.  When you see truck drivers parked and resting at a Missouri rest area, be thankful those spots are available.  And don't be afraid to take a rest yourself as driver fatigue isn't only for truck drivers.  See a map of Missouri rest areas. 

A Missouri tractor trailer accident lawyer can help if you have been involved in a semi-truck accident.  Such cases can be very complex, so don't leave yours to chance. Get a FREE consultation.

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29 years. That is how long it has been since the minimum federal motor carrier insurance requirements have been raised. I knew these levels were old but not that old. Steve Gursten makes a great point about these levels in today’s present value dollars in his Michigan Auto Lawyers Blog.

 
“According to the act, the minimum insurance standards for interstate trucks range from $750,000 for a basic truck to $5 million for trucks carrying hazardous materials. Keep in mind that $750,000 in 1980 equals just under $2 million when adjusted for inflation in 2009 — and is worth only $292,000 in today’s dollars.

According to the Consumer Price Index:
• $750,000 in 1980 equals $1,921,811 when adjusted for inflation in 2009, and is worth only $292,693 today.
• $1 million in 1980 equals $2,562,415 when adjusted for inflation in 2009, and is worth only $390,257 today.
• $5 million equals $12,812,075 when adjusted for inflation in 2009, and is worth only $2,491,933 today.”

With the costs of medical treatment skyrocketing, it is absolutely time to revisit these requirements. I am sure the trucking lobby will cry about this, on top of fuel costs will drive some companies out of business, but read some of the examples in Steve’s post and tell me what is more important.

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CNN has an interesting article about a recent study confirming the dangers of over the road truck drivers using cell phones.

Truckers who text while driving are 23 times more likely to crash or get into a near-wreck than an undistracted driver, while car drivers face the greatest danger when dialing their cell phones, a transportation study found.

The likelihood of a crash due to cell-phone use disproportionately affected truckers in comparison with car drivers, according to the study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

When dialing, the chance of an accident for a truck driver is 5.9 times more likely versus 2.8 times more likely for a car driver, the study found. If a trucker reaches for an electronic device, the crash risk is 6.7 times as high, while the risk for a car driver is 1.4 times as high, it showed.

The rest of the article can be found here.
 

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There are some instances where an injured party can handle their own claim, but you should always speak with a personal injury lawyer before you contact the insurance company.

Here is a great post from the Texas Injury Law Blog.

Potential clients involved in an accident or injury claim that seek legal help or free advice from my law firm frequently ask this question--If I hire a lawyer and have to pay attorneys' fees, won't I end up getting less money in the end?

Nothing is guaranteed--however, I cannot remember a time when I had a client who, at first, was handling a claim on their own or was just about to settle with the insurance when they came to me with many questions and reservations about hiring a lawyer. They trusted our law firm, and it proved to be worth it in the end.

A couple of questions should come to your mind (1) if you were in need of surgery, would you try to do the surgery yourself ? , (2) do you really have what it takes to take on Big Insurance and an insurance claims adjuster who handles thousands of claims a year?

Remember, the insurance adjuster is not under oath when they are dealing with you and they are frequently trained to do absolutely everything in their power to deny your injury claim or pay you as little as possible. If you are thinking if it does not work out, I can always hire a lawyer later--think again. Commonly, people come in after trying to handle their injury claim with the "do it yourself" approach by giving the insurance company a statement unfavorable to their claim and missing crucial damages they are entitled to under the law.

If you have an injury lawyer or law firm who works your claim diligently and aggressively, your decision to hire a lawyer is more often than not worth the time. While most people are concerned about their property damage, I remind potential clients that vehicles can always be replaced, but you only get one body during your lifetime, if you do not look out for your health, who will?

Abraham Lincoln once said, "A man who represents himself has a fool for a client." 

If you have legal questions  with your personal injury claim give me a call for a free consultation. 

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 Over 62% of all  bankruptcies stem from medical bills, and even people with health insurance face financial disaster if they experience a serious illness, a new study shows.  

The study, prepared by the American Journal of Medicine, showed over a significant increase in medical related bankruptcies in the 6 years since the previous survey.  Also , interesting the study shows that most of the debtors were well educated, home owners and middle class.

Unfortunately most Americans are only one accident or illness away from losing much of what they have worked for their entire lives.  I can't count all the people in my office over the years who can't believe what is happening to them.   Anybody who tells you the current system is not broken, doesn't know what they are talking about or have a vested interest in the status quo.

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 Very often I am approached by a client who has an agreement they want me to take a look at.  Many of these contracts have arbitration clauses.   I always point out this provision and suggest  that it be removed.  Usually when I explain what arbitration is, how much it truly costs and the rights that are usually waived, the clients eagerly agree that it is probably not in their best interest.  In my opinion, it is usually used by a bigger company to deter a smaller company or individual from doing anything to protect their rights because of the costs involved.

I have on numerous occasions used the example of the arbitrator needing to be appointed for each case and that this can arguably lead to biased results.  The Wall Street Journal has a great article about a former employee who has filed a claim alleging some of the things that many attorneys have long feared about the arbitration process.  Obviously, these are just her allegations and have not been proven.

The United States federal and state court system is far from perfect, but it is still the best thing going to provide a fair resolution for both parties.

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 1. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. 

2.  Get as many photographs of the accident scene and vehicles or objects involved in the accident as you can.  If you fell, get pictures of what you believe made you fall. YOU CAN NOT TAKE TOO MANY PHOTOS.  Make sure you have them "developed"or printed and safely stored on disk.  Do not leave them solely on your computer.  Now is not the time to save costs.

3.  Keep all medical records and bills that you receive.

4.  Keep a running list of all health care providers see.

5.  Immediately make a police report in case of any motor vehicle, motorcycle or bicycle accident.   Get  a copy of the police report.

6.  Keep a careful list of witnesses' names and contact information.  Get the name of the manager of the premises for any premises or slip and fall injury.

7.  Keep a list of all expenses or costs including lost wages you believe attributable to the accident.

Save your  prescription drug bottles and any casts, hardware, pins, braces, screws.  Save damaged personal property like clothing, eyeglasses, bicycles.  Anything damaged in the accident

Don't speak to anyone without the advice of an attorney.

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MoDOT announced last week that there was only one fatality in 2008 attributable to cross over accidents where cable guards are in place.  As I have written before, hopefully MoDOT will install these cables on US highway 60, Us Highway 65 and Missouri 13.

Guard cable installation has been complete on the state's two major interstates - 70 and 44 - for several years with tremendous results. In 2002, with only limited miles of guard cable installed on I-70, there were 24 cross-median fatalities. In 2008, preliminary statistics show there was one such fatality. I-44 had 25 crossover deaths in 2006. That number dropped to zero in 2008 thanks to the guard cable.

"When you think of the lives we've saved with something as simple as median guard cables, it's phenomenal," MoDOT Director Pete Rahn said. "These statistics aren't just numbers - they're family members and friends who are alive today thanks to these highway safety improvements."

The American Society of Civil Engineers has cited the success of Missouri's median guard cables in reducing highway deaths in its 2009 Report Card for America's Infrastructure. The society's recently released report card gave the nation's infrastructure a grade of D and said a five-year investment of $2.2 trillion is needed for improvement. However, it also cited positive examples, such as Missouri's guard cable installation, that demonstrate progress is being made.

"The cable barriers have performed successfully in Missouri, catching over 95 percent of vehicles entering the median," the report stated. "Most importantly, it is saving lives."

MoDOT has installed about 550 miles of guard cable in medians of the state's busiest highways - Interstates 70, 44, 29, 35, 55 and 435 and Route 67 - where congested, high-speed traffic was resulting in vehicles crossing medians and colliding head-on with vehicles going in the other direction. Additional guard cable will be installed on Interstate 470 and Routes 63 and 65 in the next few years.

Median guard cable, made of three strands of steel cable, is designed to "catch" a vehicle before it crosses into the opposing traffic lanes, bringing it to a stop before it collides with other vehicles. It's generally used where medians are 60 feet wide or less

 The American Society of Civil Engineers' issued the full report full report

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 The News-Leader is reporting a  fatality in a four car motor vehicle car accident on I-44 near Stotts City. From the report, it appears that a pickup truck pulling a trailer crossed into the left lane, struck a vehicle and crossed the median killing the oncoming driver. In this case median barrier cables apparently did not work.

I do not know the facts of this particular case and make no comment about the fault of the drivers in this tragedy.  However as an attorney who travels I-44, Highway 65, Highway 60 and Highway 13 going to various courthouses around Southwest Missouri, frequently I see trucks (both pickup and semi trucks) whose drivers  are not fully concentrating on the task at hand, driving and controlling their trailer. Too may times I have seen drivers that have poorly tied down loads or have their trailer overloaded or are driving too fast for the conditions. Frankly some of these drivers act like they are not pulling a trailer at all, but rather like they are driving a sports car.  I cringe when I see these truck drivers talking on a cell phone. I hope that was not the case in this unfortunate instance.

Just last week I was on I-44 behind a gentleman pulling a junk laden pickup truck and trailer. It was a very windy March day and this gentleman was literally driving down the interstate using a lane and a half. He had a lit cigarette,was eating and obviously not concerned about how he was driving or the effect he was having on his fellow travelers. 

So many of the motor vehicle accidents, car crash and semi truck accidents that occur could be avoided if the drivers were only giving their full or even primary attention to the most important task at hand, controlling their vehicle.

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Here is the News Leader report.  Glad to hear that there are no serious injuries.  This is gong to make the drive home for many (including me) a lot more difficult.  Be prepared to wait and don't make the situation any worse by causing another car crash.

 Here is the video link

Northbound U.S. 65 could be closed 8-9 hours

NEWS-LEADER STAFF • JANUARY 21, 2009

Springfield police estimate it will take eight to nine hours to clear a section of northbound U.S. 65 after a semi truck crashed on a section of the highway crossing over Catalpa Street.

Police are rerouting traffic around the crash, which occurred about 10 a.m. when the tractor-trailer struck the highway guard rail, ripping off one of its rear axles.

Lt. Kirk Manlove said damage to the truck and bridge are the cause of the expected delay.

“(The Missouri Department of Transportation) needs to look at the bridge and make sure that there’s no structural damage,” he said. “There’s quite a bit of debris that needs to be picked up ...

“It’s just going to take some time.”

In the meantime, northbound 65 will remain closed from Sunshine Street to Chestnut Expressway, Manlove said.

Motorists are being diverted onto Sunshine and may continue north on other routes, but Manlove warned that Eastgate Avenue — a two-lane street running parallel to 65 on the east — is extremely congested and drivers should consider taking Glenstone Avenue north to Chestnut.

The Springfield Fire Department, MoDOT, and Missouri Highway Patrol commercial vehicle inspectors were assisting on the scene, police said.

Firefighters were working to contain and clean up diesel fuel leaked from the damaged vehicle, but none had caught fire, Manlove said.

No other vehicles were damaged during the initial crash and the truck’s driver — who has not been identified — did not appear to have been seriously injured.

When approached at the scene, the driver told a News-Leader reporter he did not want to comment on the record.

A witness, Craig Jackson, said he saw the truck swerve then slide along the railing of the bridge.

“We went up to the driver and asked him what happened, if he fell asleep or anything, and he said ‘I don’t know what happened,’” Jackson said.

“He was over here in the slow lane, looked like he swerved to the fast lane, heard a big bang, saw smoke flying ...

“The truck took a sharp turn and he went sliding right down the bridge. He’s lucky he didn’t go off of it.” 

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I had a court appearance in Christian County today and a meeting in Branson.  On the way there I passed through a small work zone.  As I slowed down, a semi truck and a following SUV (driver was on the cell phone) came around and kept going at full speed without slowing at all.  It was snowing and  both motor vehicles came within a few feet of one of the workmen.  As a testament to their bravery and probably the sheer number of times they are subjected to this danger, he casually moved out of the way.  Amazing.   Lets slow down and give these guys a break.

From MoDOT

In 2008, MoDOT will continue working toward improving 5,600 miles of roadway by the end of 2011, which will bring 85 percent of Missouri’s roadways up to good condition. Called Better Roads, Brighter Future, the program targets highways carrying 80 percent of all traffic on the state highway system – that’s 103 million miles traveled a day. These improvements mean many work zones across the state. We can manage our work zones, but we need your help to keep work zones safe.
Thank you for driving smart.

In 2007, 5 people were killed in work zones, which is a 74% decrease in deaths from 2006 when 19 people were killed. Thank you for driving smartly!
There were approximately 800 people injured in 2007 work zones, compared to 1,190 in 2006. This is a decrease of more than 30%.
Between 2002 and 2006, 113 people were killed and 6,582 people were injured in Missouri work zones.
Since 2000, eight MoDOT employees have been killed in work zones.
Inattention, exceeding the speed limit and following too closely are the leading causes of work-zone crashes.
The number one reason people die in traffic crashes in work zones and elsewhere is failure to wear safety belts. In 2007, of the 978 fatalities, 778 were occupant fatalities. Of the occupant fatalities, 67 percent of vehicle occupant fatalities were not wearing a seat belt.

Drive Smart in Work Zones to Arrive Alive

Here are some helpful tips:

Buckle Up! – Every trip, every time – safety belts save lives.
Stay Alert! – Dedicate your full attention to the roadway.
Follow Signs! – They’ll guide you through work zones safely.
Expect the Unexpected! – Watch for flaggers, workers and equipment.
Pay Attention! – Turn the radio down and don’t use your cellular phone.
Be Patient! – Remember workers are improving the road for future travels.
Don’t Speed!– Follow posted limits and adjust for weather conditions.
Don’t Drink and Drive! – Impairment of any kind is unacceptable.
Be Nice! – Merge early, don’t tailgate and don’t change lanes in a work zone.
 

Here's the three "S's" of managing work zones safely. Speed, Space and Stress. Handle these three factors and you're almost home free.

MANAGE YOUR SPEED:

Slow Down when approaching all work zones. You will be in the work zone quicker than you think.
Follow Posted Speed Limits, especially within construction zones, and try to maintain a consistent speed with the traffic flow. And adjust your speed for weather conditions.
Don't Resume Normal Speed until you see roadway signs indicating it's safe to do so.

MANAGE YOUR SPACE:

Leave Room. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Count out at least two seconds from the time the car ahead of you passes an object and the time your own car passes that object. Also, keep a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic barriers, trucks, construction equipment and workers.
Don't Pass on the Shoulder. Don't drive across the median. This creates a very dangerous situation for you, construction workers and other motorists -- not to mention the steep fine.
Leave Yourself an Out. When stopped in traffic, leave a safety zone between you and the vehicle in front of you. A good rule of thumb is that when stopped in traffic you should be able to see the bottom of the tires of the vehicle in front of you.
Watch Out for Tailgaters. Do not force tailgaters to back off by slamming on your brakes or reducing your speed significantly. This practice can lead to road rage and increases the chances of a collision. When possible, pull over and let them pass. If this is not possible, turn your headlights on and off several times during daylight hours to illuminate your tail lights and warn tailgaters they are too close. If at night, lightly tap your brake pedal to illuminate your brake lights.

MANAGE YOUR STRESS:

Keep Your Cool. Calm down and don't rush. Remember, the temporary inconvenience of a construction zone will pay off with greatly improved roads soon.
Pay Attention. Avoid cell phone or radio distractions, as well as those of other stopped cars or construction.
Expect Delays. Use the MoDOT Work Zone map on this Web site and other available information to keep yourself informed about construction on your route. Leave a bit earlier, if necessary, to arrive at your destination on time. Consider using an alternate route that bypasses the construction zones.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a car crash accident, construction zone accident or other personal injury or workers compensation claim involving a driver charged with reckless driving in the Springfield, Branson, Lebanon, Southwest Missouri Northwest Arkansas area, contact The Krebs Law Firm LLC for a free consultation regarding your injury claims.

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 We have been busy here at The Krebs Law Firm LLC.  I meant to discuss this important article in the Wall Street Journal some time ago.  It is an interesting write up and discussion about the ripple effect of the current economic woes.  

Missouri requires Uninsured Motorist coverage in all polices, unfortunately most people only opt for the minimum coverage of $25,000/$50,000.  My advice, buy as much Uninsured (UM) and Under Insured Motorist (UIM) coverage as your agent will allow you.  The insurance companies have figured this out and will typically make you increase your liability coverages to an equal amount.  Go ahead and do it to the maximum level you can afford.  I not promoting the insurance industry, but very often this is the only source of funds that you have any chance of recovering from in the event that you are injured by a driver with no insurance or with very little coverage.

Does this mean that your insurance will pay you no questions asked, absolutely not.   We have numerous cases in our office were we are fighting our own client's insurance company and not the negligent driver that caused the car crash, but the alternative is much more grim.  In this day and age with spiraling health care costs, an ambulance ride can easily top $1,000.00.  By the time every doctor and nurse that walks by your room bills you, a short hospital stay of 2 or 3 days can run in excess of $50,000.00.  This says nothing of pain and suffering and lost wages from work.

"A good proportion of people on the road are either uninsured or under insured, and so you have to protect yourself," said Robert Hartwig, president of the Insurance Information Institute, a nonprofit group. "Your odds of being in an accident with an uninsured driver are substantial."

Preliminary data from the council's forthcoming study "indicate that a single percentage point increase in the unemployment rate is associated with a half-point increase in the percentage of uninsured drivers," said David Corum, council vice president. The nation's jobless rate was up two percentage points to 6.7% in November from a year earlier.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a car crash accident involving a Uninsured or Under Insured Motorist in the Springfield, Branson, Lebanon, Southwest Missouri Northwest Arkansas area, contact The Krebs Law Firm LLC for a free consultation regarding your injury claims before you negotiate with your insurance company.  Very often your own adjuster will form an opinion of your case that may not be accurate and value your claim incorrectly.

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Here is some good news from the Missouri Highway Patrol.  I suspect that injury accidents are going to be up.  There are so many cases involving driver distraction, be it on a cell phone or text messaging while driving.

 Missouri Experiences Significant Reduction In Traffic Deaths


The Missouri State Highway Patrol is pleased to announce Missouri has experienced a 27 percent decrease in fatalities over the past three years. The complete breakdown of statistics is as follows:

From 2005 to 2006, Missouri led the nation with a 13 percent decrease in traffic fatalities.
From 2006 to 2007, Missouri experienced a nine percent decrease in traffic fatalities.
From 2007 to 2008, Missouri saw a five percent decrease in traffic fatalities.*

“I am very pleased with the reduction of fatal traffic crashes in Missouri over the past three years,” stated Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “All of our troopers work every day to encourage safe driving and reduce traffic fatalities. We are committed to working with our traffic safety partners to further reduce the number of traffic deaths in our state. This is our primary responsibility and I believe we are doing a commendable job as evidenced by the fantastic reductions," stated Colonel Keathley.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol urges motorists to continue to do their part to keep the numbers moving in the right direction. Motorists should obey the speed limit, pay attention, never drink and drive, and always fasten their seat belt. Missourians can help further make the roads safe by reporting dangerous drivers to the Patrol’s Emergency Report Line at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone.

*Note: 2008 fatality totals may change due to late deaths.

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 Here is some great advice from The Memphis Injury Law Blog by James K. Ferrell

Jami practices personal injury law in Tennessee and Mississippi, so I have changed his references from those states to Missouri and Arkansas where The Krebs Law Firm LLC represents injury victims and their families.  Regardless of where the car crash, semi truck or motorcycle accident occurred, the advice is spot on

1. PULLOVER RIGHT AWAY: If you can, move your car off the street or to the side of the road. Not stopping after an accident could case you to be guilty of the criminal offense of leaving the scene of an accident or hit and run.

2. E-911: If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away and ask for the police and an ambulance if needed.
3. PHOTOS, PHOTOS, PHOTOS: Take LOTS of pictures of the scene of the accident, the damage done to any cars or trucks, and of any injuries you might have. (I have talked about it before, but see Jami's previous post about photos here.)

4. NEVER ADMIT FAULT: Do not tell anyone that you were at fault. Often times you are in a state of shock and might not be aware of what really occurred.

5. GET THE OTHER DRIVER 'S INFORMATION: Exchange all of the following information with the other driver involved in the wreck, name, address, phone number, driver's license, vehicle year, make, model, color, and license plate number, and insurance information, including company, policy number, effective dates of policy, and telephone number.

6. SEE IF THERE WERE ANY WITNESS' AND GET THEIR INFORMATION: Get their name, address, and telephone number. Make sure you do this for each witness.

7. TELL THE POLICE OFFICER ABOUT YOUR INJURIES: If you are hurt, tell the police officer. The record of your injuries will be put in the investigating officer's report. If you don't mention to the police officer that you were injured, the insurance adjuster who will ultimately evaluate your claim might not believe that you were really hurt in the accident.

8. GET IMMEDIATE MEDICAL TREATMENT: If you are hurt get medical treatment right away. Go to the nearest emergency room or to your personal doctor. An injury, if left untreated, may become substantially worse. If you don't seek treatment or delay getting medical treatment, an insurance adjuster may suspect that you are not genuinely injured and discount your claim.

9. CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY: Tell your insurance company about the wreck but do not talk to the other driver's insurance company or any adjuster. Usually a claims adjuster for the other driver will be assigned to your claim before you get a lawyer. This usually happens within a day or two of the accident. The adjuster will request permission to take a recorded or written statement (and even if he doesn't request it you can bet he's probably recording your conversation). If you are considering hiring a Missouri or Arkansas personal injury lawyer, you shouldn't give a statement any insurance adjuster for the other driver. Anything you say can seriously jeopardize your case without you even knowing it. Just tell the adjuster that you have decided to hire an attorney, and instruct him or her to refer all further questions to your attorney.

10. CALL A MISSOURI OR ARKANSAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER : If you are seriously injured don't try to settle your own claim. A good Springfield, Branson Southwest Missouri or Northern Arkansas personal injury attorney will generally be able to get much more money for you than you will be offered in settlement by an insurance adjuster, even when you take into account attorney's fees. If you do choose to accept a settlement for your injury without hiring a lawyer, you may receive a settlement that doesn't adequately pay you for permanent injuries and damages. If you're not sure whether to settle, talk to a lawyer who handles personal injury cases.

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